collageScotland has more universities per head of population than anywhere else in Europe. It might therefore be assumed that Scottish civil engineering students would have no problem in securing a place at university. However, for such a lucrative and exciting career, competition remains fierce. With strict entry requirements and always high levels of demand, the struggle to get in can be tough.
If you are reading about best universities in scotland for civil engineering for the first time, it may seem overwhelming to those who have not previously done so, but you will probably find it fascinating. You’ll also find more information about other topics like best universities in scotland for mechanical engineering, Best universities in Scotland, best universities in scotland for civil engineering, Top 5 universities in Scotland on collegelearners.
Best universities in Scotland
Scotland’s epic history, vibrant cities and incredible natural beauty make it a prime destination, whether you’re more at home scaling a cliff or curled up with a good book.
Scotland also has a reputation for excellence in education, according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021. It has the monopoly on Britain’s share of ancient universities too. Four of the top five universities in Scotland were founded before 1600, with the oldest, St Andrews, dating back to 1413.
Its capital is Edinburgh, where the hill of Arthur’s Seat overlooks the cobbled streets and shopfronts of the old city. Once the epicentre of the Scottish Enlightenment, Edinburgh maintains a reputation for intellectual and creative passion.
Every August, the capital hosts the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the largest arts festival in the world. Thousands of theatre and music performances take place over the three-week event.
Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow, has benefited from intense redevelopment in recent years. Buzzing modern music venues and shopping centres now mingle with Victorian buildings. Glasgow’s West End is a prime location, with boutiques, cafes and parks all within easy reach.
It’s worth leaving the comfort of the cities for Scotland’s untamed countryside. The rugged Highlands are open to adventurers looking for a challenge. Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the British Isles, is a short trip from Glasgow. Further afield, Scotland is surrounded by hundreds of tiny islands, only a fraction of which are inhabited. These mysterious and isolated places have kept their traditional ways of life and are full of charm.
At the end of the day, there is always the option to warm up with a glass of Scotch whisky in a local pub. Whisky may be called “Scotch” only if it’s made in a Scottish brewery according to strict instructions.
Top 5 universities in Scotland
1. University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh is Scotland’s most prestigious institution. It is ranked as one of the best universities in the world for arts and humanities, but also for law and psychology. Students have the privilege of studying in some of the oldest and most enchanting buildings in the city.
The university has inspired some of the greatest minds in Scottish history, such as the philosopher David Hume and Sherlock Holmes creator Arthur Conan Doyle. It’s also the place where Dolly the sheep became the first successful example of animal cloning.
2. University of Glasgow
Glasgow’s lively cultural scene and nightlife owe some debt to the presence of the University of Glasgow. As one of the top research universities in the UK, Glasgow produces a vast quantity of internationally recognised papers. Glasgow rivals Edinburgh for its architecture, with more than 100 listed buildings.
Seven Nobel prizewinners and three prime ministers have studied at Glasgow. Unusually, there are two students’ unions at the university. This tradition dates from the time when male and female students attended different institutions. Glasgow University Union is famous for sports, while Queen Margaret Union’s music venue hosts internationally famous bands.
3. University of Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen is one of the leading universities in the UK for graduate employment. Its campuses are a fascinating mix of old and new, reflecting the subject departments they contain. Old Aberdeen campus has a 15th-century chapel and a state-of-the-art library, where arts and humanities students can find the perfect atmosphere to study.
Life sciences and medicine are mainly taught at the high-tech Foresterhill campus. The university also has a lighthouse field station and the Oceanlab research station, for studies specialising in marine ecology. Aberdeen itself is a wealthy city, thanks to its oil industry, with plenty of upscale restaurants and bars. It is sometimes known as the “Silver City” because of its stunning Victorian buildings made using glittering granite slabs from local quarries.
4. University of Dundee
The University of Dundee is the youngest of Scotland’s top-performing universities, established in 1967. Its mission is to “transform lives locally and globally through the creation, sharing and application of knowledge”.
The city of Dundee has a rich history of scientific innovation. This is reflected in the university’s consistently strong performance in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects. Students can walk downtown to visit the RRS Discovery, berthed in Dundee harbour, which carried Captain Robert Scott on his first voyage to the Antarctic.
5. University of St Andrews
Scotland’s oldest university, St Andrews is located in the town of the same name on the east coast of Fife. It often tops rankings of Scottish universities, and is renowned for its academic rigour and excellent research.
Notable alumni include six Nobel laureates, a handful of ambassadors and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
The university has a focus on sustainability, and has boosted efforts to become carbon neutral. To help achieve this, it runs initiatives such as an energy-saving competition between the student halls of residence and provides green spaces on campus where students can grow their own produce.
Best universities in Scotland 2021
Click each institution to view its full World University Rankings 2021 results
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